Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-12

Rachel. Amber's arms were around he,
in moment, begging her not to endapge
the lives of her remaining children. Tit
Indians were scalping and plunderina
the dead, while the agonized wife and chill
dren locked on. And this was but one o.
hundreds of such scenes Transporting every
day upon the frontier. And this one
the naughty Shawnee chief by caprice Of
his strange will, had robbed of half lis
horrors
Well might a historian of this war say
" In later wars we have often succeeded in
shooting more men but seldom in produc-
ing more misery" The toll and agonies
of the brute creation alone must have en-
tered into the ears of the Most High, as ac-
cusers of man, in this unholy war
Again the little band was mounted, and
in the midst of the wretches stained with
the blood of their kindred, and was hur.
ried forward. There was evident watchful-
ness, as if the captors expected an attempt
at rescue from the escaped Indians. But
those friends knew that such an effort
would be the signal for the massacre of the
prisoners. Under the stern eye of theiI
leader all signs of violence were suppressed
and they soon entered the British encamp.
ment.
Tecumseh did not lose sight of his pris.
oners until he had given the women and
children cabin where, as they afterwards
learned, they would be under his own eyes
Nate Lacey he took to spot where score
or two of prisoners were at work digging 8
trench. Here he found men similarly I'M
fortunate, who had even more tragic stories
to tell. Something of his old quaint humol
shone in his eyes as he saw the meek white
nose of old Sorrel in front of an army
wagon. Though compelled TO use his
strong arms in the service of his country's
foes, his lot was far easier than that of the
women. Amber found need for her gifts
of calm patience and courage. They were
in small, close quarters. Rachel was nearly
distracted with grief The care of all de-
pended upon her frail arms but well did
she acquit herself the trust. Small time
had she for her own griefs and anxieties
and perhaps it was best for her.
And so the days came and went, until
the eyentful 9th of May. Since the LIST
there had been an unusual stir of expecta-
ton in the camp. which had been noticed
even by the lonely prisoners in the cabin.
This morning the batteries played away
upon the fort, as usual, but there was a
hush in the camp life, that was explained
to them by the wife of a sutler, who told
them that Tecumseh was out with large
force of British and Indians, to defend the
batteries from the expected attack of the
Kentuckians, who were in sight at day.
light, coming down the river in boats. The
forenoon was wearing away as usual, the
duh thud of the guns breaking the mono
tone OF the rapids.
Suddenly Amber's strained ears missed
something She held her breath suspended
a moment, then dropped upon her knees.
The batteries had stopped firing. The
story of that bloody day is written in his
tory. The stormy charge of the Kentuck-
ians, headed by the gallant Colonel Dudley,
the capture of the batteries, the feigned
flight of Tecupseh, and the deadly am
bush into which Dudley fell, with the best
of his command.
Amber was still praying for the souls
going up to God from that bloody field,
when one of Rachers boys rushed in saving
that they were bringing in the prisoners
Slowly they filed past, less than hundred
miserable men, wounded, footsore; with
dusty, tattered, blood-stained clothing, and
bearing the marks of the horrible. torture
of the gantlet. Far happier their broth
ers lying on the weli-fought field. Some
still raised proud heads and defiant eyes.
while dark and evil faces leered at them on
every side. Amber's plying gaze dwelt
upon them, fascinated by the dread sight.
That's Colonel Dudley" said Tommy
Dunn, pointing to man of stately height,
with erect proud head, from which fell down
upon his shoulders clustering yellow curls.
He turned as if his quick ear had caught
his name, and met Amber's eyes. A look
of pleasant surprise passed over his weary
face, as he bowed courteouslv.
~ l.
away and sleep seemed settling upon the
camp, when Amber caught sound of a
timid knock at the cabin door, and OPEN
ing, found there little Indian boy, who
seemed ready to take I'll ht when spoken
treasured by that he told bis errand.
The big white chief that Tecumsch had
taken had sent him to ask her to come and
see him. Would she come with him !?
He could show her the place where they
had him imprisoned. Amber had never
been outside the cabin at night She
knew that IL was a dangerous adventure
yet she could not refuse the forlorn man
whose eyes had lighted up at the sight of
her. Wrapping herself up closely she
passed out into the darkness 1t was a
short walk and they met no one. A dim
light was burning in a small tent She
did not see the Indian guards, but she
knew they were there, intently watchful.
The guide lifted the curtain and she was
in the tent with the prisoner. He arose as
she entered, his stately form seeming TO fill
the little room. He had wrapped Blanket
around him to hide as much as possible
the disorder of his clothing, but the pi.iful
eyes saw that the fair hair was matted.
though an attempt had been made to
smooth il, and a wound upon The white
forehead was still bleeding.
81 saw you" be said, land knew that
you would comfort doomed man bv
taking his last farewell to his wife. You
will do it, am sure of it. You will live
through this dreadful time, and will see
my Lucy
Amber interposed some words OF hope
that he might be saved.
NO" ne answered 81 am too power
full an enemy. The Indians thirst for nv
blood If Tecumschs tiger heart would
spare me, Proctor would not. A diving
man asks you to take to Lis wife his last
love and blessing. My General will tell
her how ! fought. If only could die a
soldiers death" he exclaimed, with a
shuGder.
One moment he paused, overcome by the
awful vision and Involuntary he passed
his hand over his long yellow curls.
He drew from his breast small knife.
and severed one Of the locks and placed it
in Anber's hand.
Take il to her, she will know it, even if
years pass before she sees it,
Weeping biiteSly, and unable to speak,
Amber took the fair curl in her trembling
hands
You must go now" he said. alt may
do you harm to be seen here God bless
you angel Of His mercy, sent to comfort
me-"
The power of speech entirely deserted
her. He looked down upon the face so
full of anguish, and, STOPPING, pressed a
farewell kiss ON the pure forehead and led
her gently TO the door. Blinded with
emotion, she put out a hand to the child
to lead her. They walked but few steps.
when the little guide suddenly wrested lis
hand from hers and fed into the darkness
ike frightened fawn. She reused up at
this descition and saw Tecumseh walking
at her side.
My daughter should not walk at night"
he said, kindly; there are bad men in
camp"
Her quick perception told her that an
was given her to plead for
Dudley. She suspected that ne knew her
visit-perhaps had permitted it. She told
him where she had been, and that Colonel,
Dudley expected to Gle on the morrow.
q He is a great chief" said Tecumseh.
- Is he afraid to die?" Amber explained
that he expected no mercy, but she be-
sought the chief to show it TO so noble